Bricksetting machine



G. E. LUCE BRICKSETTNG MACHINE March 18 `19.24.

Filed Oct. 6, 1919 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 fnveno r ff; #WMM irzze March 18' 1924. 1,487,688

G. E. LUCE BRICKSETTING MACHINE Filed Oct, 6, 1919 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 G. E. LUCE BRI CKSETTING MACHINE March 18 1924. 8 1,487,688

Filled Oct. 6, 1919 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 18 1924. 1,487,688

G. E. LUCE BRICKS ETTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 6. 1919 5 Sheets-Sheet i a Mf/M.

ymarny 'March 18 1924. 1,487,%88

G. E. LUCE BRICKSETTING MACHINE Filed OCL. 6, 1919 Patented Mar. 18, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GRAFTON E. LUCE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BRICKSETTING MACHINE.

Application filed October 6, 1919. Serial No. 328,712.

Chicago, State of Illinois, have invented anv Improvement in a Bricksetting Machine, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

In my present invention which is upon one of the forms of apparatus illustrated in my prior process application, Serial No. 259,770, filed October 26, 1918, I elect to herein disclose and claim broadly the form of brick handling apparatus together with the traveling crane to handle the saine and the various novel features thereof.

The object of my present invention is to provide a novel and efficient form of mechanical brick lifting apparatus which will handle either green or burnt brick, with equal facility and which will be efficient in operation, simple and strong in construction and which involves a distinctly novel principle of brick handling.

In my present invention, I provide a handling apparatus which will load, lift, carry, and unload a unit stack of green brick supporting the same approximately under the center of the lower rows or courses of brick,--therefore giving a broad centrally located bearing surface for the weight of the units being handled,-and which will automatically re-aline the entire unit stack when being unloaded. The same advantage results in handling a unit of burnt brick by my apparatus and further the unit of brick to be handled need not be piled with special relation to the mechanical lifter but can be piled with the best spacing required in drying and burning any particular type of clay articles.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a brick handling apparatus which has a framework and a movable vset or plurality of brick lifting lingers together with means to move thefingers forwardly into brick engaging position or rearwardly when unloading. My apparatus is adapted to be positioned adjacent the brick to be loaded, or when loaded adjacent the unloading point and held stationary while the loading or unloading movements of the brick engaging fingers are effected. I also provide a pressure or resistant plate on the fixed part of the apparatus which enables my brick lifting device to be held alined and firm while loading and which furthermore serves to realine and hold the unit of brick in proper Y position when unloading.

A still further important feature con sists in the fact that I can have all the brick engaging fingers within the periphery of the pile of brick being handled. This is of great advantage either in building up a kiln, by setting successive units closely ad jacent the previously set brick without al lowing extra spaces either in width or height to extract the mechanical setter fingers, or in loading from or unloading into wagons, cars, or the like.

Additional important features in my brick handling or setting apparatus consist in means to operate the reciprocating frame and brick carrying fingers, which preferably comprises a motor mounted on the framework of the setting apparatus and automatic means to limit the movement of the brick fingers either forwardly when loading or rearwardly when unloading; means to maintain the entire apparatus in balanced relation either when loading, partially loaded, or unloaded; means permitting the setter to be rotated to pick off or unload unit stacks of brick at any angular position.; adjustable means for maintaining the reciprocating frame and brick engaging fingers either horizontally or at a slight angle if desired.

In said prior process application, Ser. No. 259,770, I have illustrated a revolving crane and a traveling crane, the latter being shown in conventional form, while in my capending application, Ser. No. 262,947, filed November 18, 1918, I have explained and claimed a revolving type of crane suitable for handling my setting apparatus. In the present case, I have shown a turntable to be suspended from a traveling crane for handling the setting apparatus, thus giving a capability for universally positioning the setting apparatus at any point, preferably employing` a traveling, portable crane as in my copending application, Ser. No. 817,46 filed August 14:, 1919. My setting apparatus may be suspended by flexible cables, which latter may be wound or unwound to raise and lowerA the turntable supporting the setting apparatus.

Additional important features, advan: tages, and novel combinations ot parts will be hereinafter more fully pointed out and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention,

l? ig. 1 is a plan View ol the setting apparatus showing a load ot brick in position and with the upper partv of the framework support and turntable omitted;

Fig. 2 is a side View ofthe setting apparatus and a portion of a load ot brick, a part of the turntable support being shown in cross-section;

Fig. 3 is arear end View o1" the setting` apparatus;

Fig. Ll is a side View partly broken away to show the operating mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the wiring, and

ll ig. 6 is a detail elevation showing` the brake mechanism. and the traine 'lor attach ing it to the apparatus.

Referring to the drawing, my setting apparatus is supported'froin a central bolt 1 adjustably secured in relative position upon bearing member 2 by threaded nutsV 3 and 4, this bearing member 2 having a roller bearing raceway 5 cooperating with a corresponding raceway G to receive a plurality ci rollers 7, 7, thus transmitting the weight to a centra-l casting 10, carried by an upper framework l1, 12, 13 and 14. At each corner ot the framework 13, 14k, is formed a loop oll iron 15 to which the flexible cables 16 are united by turnbuckles 17. These flexiblek 'a center casting 20, which in turn isV carried by angle irons .21, 22, constituting` an upper framework. In order to provide a safety device-which is required in some Statesl attach to the top frames 13, 1li, a round drum 25, carrying an inwardly projecting rim or `flange o an angle iron 26. To the framework 22.` 23, I also secure a round drum 27, which extends upwardly (seeillig. 2) and'carries a cooperatingv angle' iron 28, so that the horizontally extending` portions of the angleiron 25 and 28 overlap. @n the breakager ol" the central supporting bo'lt'v 1, the apparatus willnot fall. I

To the top framework V22y and 21 is suspended a bottom plate 30 by depending Vadapted to be inored inwardly to engage and lift a stack of brick, and backwardly to unload such brick, by travelling on the lined platform 30. At each side of the base 30 is secured channel beam l-l. carrying a track 4 -2 to receive the 'flanged wl'ieels 43,

-ll TheseV wheels 43, e3. are arranged in pairs at each side ofthe base SO, and run in gournaled bearings 44 carried by braclc ets 45, said brackets extending downwardly and being rigidly secured to the movable platform 40. The plattform 40 is thus suspended by the brackets l5 Ytrofei the pairs ot wheels i3 adapted to run on tracks at each side `the base 30. llo still further prevent undue strain on the platform and tracks, l provide a pair or rollers i6 (see adjustably mounted to height on slides a7, and held in position by a set screw 48, and bearing on the lowermost surface lil of the Iwbeains al carrying the tracks. This aids to odset the load of the brick stack when loaded onto the platform 4l() and when the latter is in its upward position.

The movable platform ll0 extends across and underneath the apparatus, being preferably made of any suitable traine-work and having at its forward portion a plurality ol2 brick engaging and li ting tingers 5l, 5l, spaced apart to extend under the brick stack 50, it being intended that the same shall be piled or set to allow for such spacand for this setting apparatus, as eX- plained in in, said prior application Sor. No. 259,770. These fittings are preterably braced on each side by '32, so that they will not spring7 and will thus main-- tain the spaced relation. It is desirable that the lingers 51 be moved to engage the brick stack 50 by contacting substantially with the longitudinal central portions of each of the bottoni rows 55 of brick. The forward braces 32, 82, i. e., those at the right, viewing Figs. 2 and fl. are adjacent the brick stack 50 and extending from one brace to the other is a pressure plate (i0 of suilicient height for the height of brick stack 50 intended to be handled by the apparatus. The function ot this pressure plate 6G is most important, as, during the operation oi the bricksetter. the setting ap paratus is positioned adjacent a stack of brick 50. and the apparatus is brought bodily in contact with the brick 50 by swinging, moving-or manipulating the saine until the pressure plate abuts against the brick, thus automatically alining the setting apparatus with the brick stack to be lll) handled. 'Ihe reciprocating frame or platform 40 is then moved on the base 30, so that the brick engaging fingers 51 extend under the stack 50, whereupon the apparatus may be lifted, carrying theistack with it. The arrangement of the turntable, fourpoint support therefor, and relative weights and `positions of the entire apparatus, are so adjusted as to maintain the apparatus substantially level and balanced, either when loaded or unloaded. When the stack 50 is to be removed, the reciprocating frame is withdrawn forcibly from under the brick stack and the pressure plate 60 facilitates this action, affording a means of resistance to hold the brick stack 50 in its stacked relation` while the lingers 51 are drawn from under it.

In order to operate the reciprocating frame, any suitable means may be employed, but I prefer to mount a small motor directly upon the base 30 and connecting and arranging this motor to move the frame 40 outwardly to load a stack of brick and rearwardly to unload the same. To this end the frame 40 has secured thereto a plurality of racks 66, two being herein shown for more even operation, to prevent torsion or distortion, etc. These racks 66 are supported in cross braces or bearings 67, 68 and 69 and are rigidly secured to the frame. To move the frame 40 rearwardly and forwardly byvrneans of these racks 66, I mount a pair of gear wheels 70 in position therewith, the gear wheel 70 extending downwardly below the bottom of the base 30 through slots 71. 'Ihese gears are mounted in journal bearings 72, 72 and in turn are rotated by pinions 73, mounted in bea-rings`74 o n the base 30 and are connected with a suitable reducing gear 75, the latter having its shaft extend forwardly and keyed to a gear 76, which is in mesh with the pinion77 on themotor shaft of the motor 65. Rotation of ythe motor 65 there-fore, in appropriate direction, serves to move the entire platform 40 forwardly and rearwardly, traveling on the tracks 42 and pairs of wheels 43. any undue strain imposed by the brick load 50 being taken up by the rollers 46, 46. I prefer to supply a band 80, preferably of iron, secured to the forward portions 82 of the lower framework 30, and adapted to substantially encircle the brick stack 50 as the apparatus is lowered vertically into position thereover, thus serving to steady the brick stack during the subsequent lifting and carrying of the load. This is a desirable feature, as my entire brick setting apparatus can be lowered vertically alongside thel brick, with the pressure plate 60 silding along lthe face of the brick stack` aligning the apparatus therewith and being Y lowered until the encircling band 80 engages the outer brick of the topmost rows.

The motor is then operated to move the fingers 51 and the frame 40 forwardly underneath the brick stack, which has been piled on spaced beams or on the deck of a drier car, as shown and explained in my said prior application, Ser. No. 259,770, whereupon the entire stack may be lifted, and the mass of brick raised vertically out of position or off the drier car, without the necessity of material clearance at either side. In fact the arrangement of my bricksetting apparatus, whereby I am enabled to lift a stack of brick by lifting devices entirely within the periphery of the brick stack on three sides, is very important, permitting close loading and unloading and is of particular value in building a kiln.

The operation of the motor 65 and subsequently the movement of the reciprocating frame forwardly or backwardly, may be effected by utilizing a controller 85. Preferably also, I employ automatic limit switches 86, 86, each switch having a wheel 87, arranged to cooperate with a tripping device 88 carried on the reciprocating platform, see Figs. 3 and 5. The operation of these limit switches is to automatically stop the actuation of the motor and consequently the forward or rearward movement of the reciprocating frame40 in exactly the predetermined position required and without interference with the operator. In fact, it has proven to be impractical to rely upon manual means to limit the reciprocating movement of such a frame. I therefore secure to the cross braces 81 and 82 at the rim of the base 30 the controller 85 with a platform or seat for the operator to be carried by the apparatus. It is, of course, feasible to reverse this arrangement and mount the tripping devices on the frame and the limit switches on the base, if desired. From the controller 85, wires 90, 90, are shown in conventional form, lead to the limit switches 86 and thence as indicated at 91, 91, to a double pole contactor 92, and from this contactor as shown at 93, 93, to an automatic single phase magnet brake 95, arranged to operate on a drum 96 upon the shaft of the reducing gear in a usual manner. This magnet brake is mounted on a support 130 attached to the frame 30 by bolts 131 and is of standard construction and comprises a base 100 to which are pivoted brake arms 101, 101, fitted with friction lining 102 and normally pressed together by a spring 103 encircling a rod 104, which rod is secured to one brake rod 101 and carries an adjustable bearing screw 105 on the outer surface to force the other arm 101 together. Toggle members 106 pivoted to one arm 101 and 107 pivoted to the other arm and united at 108, are operated by the magnet Consequently, when the magnet 95 is energized, it spreads apart the braking arms 101, releasing the drum 96 and My setting apparatus thus comprises a carrier having brick engaging members adapted to slide under a load of brick to be lifted, from a fixed framework which has previously been brought in contact and alinement with the brick, by moving the same so that the pressure plate 6() will engage the brick. The apparatus also may be thus positioned for loading by vertically lowering it, and similarly may be removed by a vertical lifting action,y with the fixed part or base of the framework `always in the same relative position with the brickstack and only the lifting fittings being moved. The setting apparatus may then be transported by any desired crane or lifting carriage, may be rotated `on the turntable for unloadingin such position as is required, and lowered vertically downward until the lifting fingers 51 are just clear of the sup ort or lower courses of brick on which the oad 5() is to be deposited. The motor is then rotated and the lifting fingers 51 withdrawn with the frame 40, the motor being automatically stopped on completion of this reciprocating movement. Meanwhile the brick settle down Yonto the support, the slightv thickness of the fingers 51 affording no disarrangement in this proceeding, particularly as the pressure plate holds the stack in substantially its piled relation. It will be appreciated that it is much simpler to move a frame such as the platform 4:0 to and fro, thanV to move an entire setter apparatus, and also that my setter does not require any independent movement of the overhead support. This feature is of great importance, as it is difficult, if not impossible, in practice, to move an overhead support simultaneously with the similar movement of a setting apparatus when the latter is suspended by fiexible cables. In my device I hold the brick carrying apparatus stationary, relatively with the brick during both loading and unloading, and only move the brick engaging fingers. Furthermore, when unloading, the withdrawal of the brick engaging fingers from underneath the stack serves to strengthen or realine the entire stack of brick throughout its horizontal courses by ltensioning the same towardl and against a pressure plate 60.

While I have explained and described the present invention as intended primarily for handlingbrick in stacked relation, preferably in hacked relationfor drying or kiln burning, it will be understood that the inventionis .of ,equal importance in handling large bulky articles of any kind and certain features I believe to Ybe particularly new as applied to power lifting and handling apparatus.

My invention is further described and defined in the form of claims as follows:

1. Brick handling apparatus of the kind described, consisting in means to engage and lift a stack. of brick, including means to contact with substantially the central portion of the foundation rows of brick in the stack, said brick engaging means having mechanism adapted to move the same under the brick while the carrier is stationary for loading the brick stack onto the carrier, said brick engaging means being movable rearwardly to release the brick stack'for unloading.

2. Brick handling apparatus of the kind described for handling a plurality of brick in unit stacked formation, consisting in a. brick carrier adapted to be raised and lowered vertically, a pressure and alining plate on said apparatus to contact with a stack of brick, and a reciprocating frame comprising a plurality of parallelly arran d fingers carried by the apparatus and sIidable therewith, to engage a unit stack of brick to be carried and to release said stack when unloading.

3. A brick carrier of the kind described,

for handling a plurality of brick in unit stacked formation, including a turntable support in balanced relation therewith, a relatively fixed frame and a horizontally sliding frame, means to reciprocate said sliding frame relatively with the fixed frame for loading or unloading a stack of brick thereon, said means consisting in a motor carried by the fixed frame, and automatic limit switches to control the actuation of said motor at predetermined limits of movement of the reciprocating frame.

4f. A brick carrier of the kind described for handling a plurality of brick in unit stacked formation, including a turntable support in balanced relation therewith, a relatively fixed frame and a horizontally sliding frame, said sliding frame including a plurality of parallelly arranged fingers, means to reciprocate said sliding frame relatively with the fixed frame for loading or unloading a stack of brick thereon, said means consisting in a motor carried by the fixed frame, said reciprocating frame having a rack and gear wheels carried bythe fixed frame meshing in said rack and being actuated by the motor to move the reciprocating frame outwardly for loading the carrier and rearwardly for unloading.

l5. Brick handling apparatus of the kind described, consisting in a fixed frame, l. track on each side of said frame, a reciprocating frame adapted to move under the fixed frame and to be supported on the irc tracks, said reciprocating frame carrying In testimony vvhereof, I have signed my brick engaging iingers, and means carried name to this specification, in the presence of by the fixed frame to move the reciprocating two subscribing Witnesses.

frame on said tracks, including an adjust- GRAFTON E. LUCE. I able bearing to hold said reciprocating `Witnesses:

frame in alinement during its brick carry- JAMES R. HoDnER,

ing and reciprocating movements. HAROLD J. CLARK. 

